INJURY REPORT: Grimes likely out 2-3 weeks

Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes has a good shot to be back for the New Orleans game on Dec. 26. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes underwent successful surgery to repair his right knee Thursday.

“We’ve been in communication with him, and he’s finished with the procedure,” coach Mike Smith said.

The Falcons have not set a timetable for his return, but players with similar surgeries are out two to three weeks, according to Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Grimes had been playing with the injury since the Detroit game Oct. 23.

“We see a lot of players who get tears mid-season and we try to put the surgery off until after the season if they don’t bother them so much,” said Glashow, who has been a medical consultant for ESPN. “Sometimes the tears get so big and bothersome that they interfere with their function or ability to run. … A lot of times we get players back in two to three weeks. It’s certainly been done before.”

If Grimes can hit the early part of that window, he could be back in time to play against Jacksonville and have a game under his belt before the Falcons play the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 26 in a game that may decide the NFC South title.

The surgery should not affect Grimes’ extraordinary leaping ability.

“Unless it’s really a huge tear, which I doubt this is, mostly likely he’ll get everything back,” Glashow said. “Some of these young fellows are really incredible athletes, and they are able to return amazingly quick even after a surgery.”

FALCONS THURSDAY INJURY REPORT

John Abraham DE Full Participation in Practice — Not Injury Related

Sam Baker T Limited Participation in Practice — Back

Tony Gonzalez TE Full Participation in Practice — Not Injury Related

Brent Grimes CB Did Not Participate In Practice — Knee

Kelvin Hayden CB Did Not Participate In Practice — Toe

Julio Jones WR Did Not Participate In Practice — Hamstring

Todd McClure C Full Participation in Practice — Not Injury Related

Stephen Nicholas LB Did Not Participate In Practice — Quadricep

Dunta Robinson CB Full Participation in Practice — Neck

Michael Turner RB Did Not Participate In Practice — Groin

Vance Walker DT Limited Participation in Practice — Groin

 HOUSTON TEXANS THURSDAY INJURY REPORT

Did Not Participate in Practice

DE Tim Bulman Calf

FB Lawrence Vickers Hamstring

Limited Participation in Practice

LB Brian Cushing Ribs

TE Garrett Graham Hamstring

WR Andre Johnson Knee

Full Participation in Practice

LB Mister Alexander Shoulder

CB Jason Allen Thumb

G Mike Brisiel Ankle

NT Shaun Cody Toe/Ankle

TE Owen Daniels Knee

LB Tim Dobbins Shoulder

TE Joel Dreessen Neck

CB Johnathan Joseph Hip

FS Danieal Manning Ankle

SS Glover Quin Elbow

DE Antonio Smith Shoulder/Back

G Wade Smith Ankle

DE J.J. Watt Knee/Thigh

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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